Eugene Farber, M.D.
(1917-2000)

Eugene M. Farber, M.D. dedicated his life to medicine and to dermatology in particular.

He served for 36 years as Professor and Chairman of the Department of Dermatology at Stanford University School of Medicine, and President of the Psoriasis Research Institute of Palo Alto. Dr. Farber began his career with a B.A. from Oberlin College; he received his M.D. degree from the University of Buffalo in 1943, and his residency training from the Mayo Clinic.

His lifelong passion was to better understand and improve the treatment of skin diseases. He lectured in many countries, received honorary memberships and awards from dermatological societies world wide, and authored 225 publications. One great honor was to receive the award of Master In Dermatology from the American Academy of Dermatology. He collaborated in clinical studies, demonstrating the effectiveness of the first antihistamine, Benadryl. He collaborated with skin biologists and clinicians around the world, establishing the first International Symposium on Psoriasis at Stanford in 1971. Dr. Farber also established one of the first hospital-based psoriasis day care centers.

From the beginning, Dr. Farber combined clinical observation with laboratory research. He demonstrated that investigative laboratory studies could expand clinical knowledge and improve clinical treatments. He was particularly known for his using his insightful research to improve the clinical treatment of psoriasis. Dr. Farber was also known for his ability to teach not only the science, but also the art of dermatology. Dr. Farber was a leader of dermatology. He was on the Board of Directors of the American Academy of Dermatology, the American Dermatological Association, the Association of Professors of Dermatology, the Pacific Dermatological Association, and the Society for Investigative Dermatology. He also held several editorial positions, and he served as President of the Association of Professors of Dermatology, the Pacific Dermatology Association, the Society for Investigative Dermatology, and the Psoriasis Research Institute.

Dr. Farber was also a devoted family man. He was married for 56 years and raised four children and two grandchildren. Today, the foundation formed by his family continue his spirit by supporting the efforts of young researchers. In 2003, the Montagna Symposium on the Biology of Skin received four travel fellowships for young investigators to attend the Symposium and present their work, and in 2004, the number increased to nine. The award pays up to $1,000 in reimbursement of actual travel expenses (including Symposium registration fee) incurred in order for the awardee to attend the Montagna Symposium. Reimbursement is made after the meeting when original receipts are sent in by the winners.

For information about sumitting an abstract for Farber travel award consideration, please see our Abstracts page.